I swear by yoga for a number of reasons—in addition to toning up muscles I didn't know I had and challenging my mental and physical strength on a regular basis, it's also the perfect respite after a stressful day at the office and a constant reminder to take a deep breath before freaking out over the little things. This might all be relatively obvious, but there's one benefit of yoga I hadn't bargained for: the profound impact it has on my skin.

I observed it on others first, usually while signing in at my local studio as another class was emptying out. I've always gotten a kick out of how blissed-out people look after a particularly great yoga class, but I began to register that their skin often carried a glow that mirrored their expressions. The fact that the diverse team of instructors at my studio all look positively ageless only emphasizes that notion.

And then, after a few weeks of practicing consistently, I started to notice those effects in the mirror. My skin began to take on that ever-evasive lit-from-within glow on a regular basis, and the stubborn hormonal acne that peppers my chin from time to time began to dissipate. At this point, I knew it was time to check in with yoga instructors and dermatologists alike to get their thoughts on the subject. Sure enough, it turns out yoga can effectively reduce acne, brighten skin tone, and even reverse skin aging and wrinkles—and there's science to back that up.

Keep reading to see the three ways yoga can factor into your skincare routine.

The good news: Multiple studies show that yoga can even rival antidepressant drugs in significantly lowering cortisol levels—which doesn't just translate to clearer skin but a boosted metabolism, a more balanced appetite, and a better disposition overall to boot. "One of the number one health benefits of a regular yoga practice is stress reduction, so over time, you may notice a decrease in acne around the cheeks and jaw, the areas of the face most affected by hormonal acne," says Rebecca Weible, the founder of New York yoga studio Yo Yoga.

This all being said, there is one potential—albeit easily correctable—caveat in the relationship between yoga and acne. "Any activity that increases sweat can lead to clogging of the pores," says Garshick. The solution, she says, is simple: Wash your face immediately after working out, and be sure to clean your mat regularly too.

DULLNESS

Like others with insomnia issues and a dry complexion, I tend to wear my tiredness on my skin: The energy is sucked out of my face, which translates to dullness and droopiness. That's why it's remarkable that even on my most sluggish days, it's nothing that an hour-long yoga class can't correct. I walk out with bright, glowing skin, no matter how few hours of sleep I logged the night before—especially if we happened to be working on inversions that day.

This has to do with circulation and breathing—because yes, the amount of oxygen we take in does have an impact on our skin. "Regular body movement and deep breathing also helps to improve our circulation by bringing more oxygen into the body, which can make skin look rejuvenated," explains Weible.

And even if you don't have time to hit the studio, you can achieve a similar glow just by working through some quick poses at home. "Inversions are a great way to boost your circulation by temporarily reversing your circulation route and bringing more blood up towards the heart and face which can make our skin appear brighter and more glowing," she says. That doesn't mean flipping up into a fancy headstand—inversions are any poses that involve bringing your head below your heart, and that can be as simple as downward dog or a forward fold. Easier still: Just take some deep breaths (a good trick to keep in mind during stressful days at the office).

"When we take large, deep breaths, we stimulate our lymphatic system and circulation, and bring life to our skin," explains Kristin McGee, Lycored yoga ambassador and celebrity Pilates and yoga Instructor. See? You don't even need highlighter.

FINE LINES AND WRINKLES

Our faces can show our age in in a number of ways, whether that's via dull, uneven skin, or, of course, fine lines and sagging. Yoga can target all of the above at the source. Wrinkles are a result of tensing our facial muscles over and over again, so when we're relieving tension through yoga, we give those muscles a chance to relax—without Botox, which does the same thing instantaneously. (Pro tip: Remind yourself to "relax your face" as you're falling asleep at night, because it's always jarring to register just how much tension you're unconsciously holding there.)

On a more cellular level, skin aging happens when cells oxidize, or break down—something that can be catalyzed by anything from pollution-based free radicals to sun damage. But stress-geared cortisol also plays a huge role in skin oxidation (which is why we tend to see our presidents age drastically over the course of their terms). Again, yoga helps temper that cortisol at the source. "The anti-aging benefits of yoga come back to stress reduction and better breathing," says Weible. "Being able to take in more air increases energy for all our cells which can improve cell turnover in our skin, helping us to look younger."

"Yoga can help to prevent cell death and improve antioxidant status, which can improve the body's response to daily environmental stress," adds Garshick. "In addition, yoga has been found to have anti-inflammatory benefits." As fascinating as the scientific details are, it's really quite simple. "Just think: The less you frown, the [fewer] wrinkles you'll develop," she says.